Category: Midwest
Mexico’s poet, Javier Sicilia, calls for unity to help combat Mexico’s violence
by Deysi Cuevas Extra News CHICAGO — Since 2006, when Mexico’s president, Felipe Calderon, began a crackdown on drug cartels, over 34,600 people have been killed. On Tuesday, April 17, poet, novelist, journalist and activist Javier Sicilia spoke at the National Museum of Mexican Art regarding Mexico’s national emergency and the importance of mobilizing and [...]
Profile: Sylvia Puente — Executive Director, Latino Policy Forum
Extra Sylvia Puente director of the Latino Policy Forum began her journey with the United Farm Workers Union. As a youngster, she took part in protests with her parents and understood the meaning of fair and humane working conditions for the people.
Celebrating the man behind the Pilsen murals
By Wendy Esparza Extra News CHICAGO — Walking around the streets of the Pilsen neighborhood you are sure to run into his work. For Mexican-American artist and muralist, Francisco Mendoza, art was his passion and Pilsen his canvas. “He created painted and mosaic murals bringing that medium on a large scale to the neighborhood for [...]
Humboldt Park: Prospering through resilience, understanding
By Christina E. Rodriguez Extra News CHICAGO — A community is what the residents make of it and it is a place designed by those who live there. This is the idea that Professor Jose Lopez talks about when explaining the consistent changes that have happened in Humboldt Park since the 1960s. “I’ve lived here [...]
Local Chicago teacher helps teens combat youth violence through interactive initiative
by Deysi Cuevas Extra CHICAGO — Antwan McHenry has worked at Chicago Public Schools for the last 10 years. During his time at West Park Academy as an office assistant for eight years and a substitute teacher for two, he lost four students to homicide. He felt the violence was getting out of hand. “There [...]
Latinas experience mental health barriers
By Jennifer Patiño Extra CHICAGO — Latinos, regardless of immigration status, encounter various barriers to seeking mental health treatment. These barriers impacting Latinos as a group include affordability, transportation, lack of resources in their community and scarcity of Spanish speaking professionals. A survey shows that in 1999 there were only 29 Latino mental health professionals [...]
Chicago’s 2.0 plan to end homelessness to be released spring 2012
by Christina E. Rodriguez Extra News CHICAGO — Approximately nine years ago, the city of Chicago along with various other groups and organizations collaborated on a 10-year plan to curb homelessness in Chicago. In its emerging 10th year, the city’s working on the newest strategic plan called Plan 2.0 which will be released in the [...]
Teatro Luna’s new play ‘Crossed’ examines what it means to be an Immigrant in the U.S.
By Deysi Cuevas Extra CHICAGO — Set in a series of unknown terminals, seven performers share their stories that range from a loud couple who is stopped at an airport security checkpoint to the painful memory of a family member who went missing the same day as 400 others did in Mexico. These are some [...]
Misrepresenting the underrepresented
by Maria Ines Zamudio Extra News CHICAGO — After spending 12 days in an immigration detention center, Mario De la Rosa received welcomed news about his pending deportation case. Within three days of his release, Margaret Carrasco, who De la Rosa said introduced herself as an immigration attorney, went to the family’s house to talk [...]
What Latinos can gain through Occupy Chicago
By Martin Macias, Jr. Extra News CHICAGO – On Sept. 17 in New York City over 2,000 people began protesting nonviolently against corporate influence and against the financial crisis caused by greed and mismanagement of Wall Street firms. More than one month later, the protests continue to grow and gain attention from politicians locally and nationally. [...]
